Liverpool Under-23s have finished as runners-up in the Premier League 2 table thanks to a resounding 5-1 home win over Chelsea Under-23s at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Reds dominated from the off and took the lead on 21 minutes when Adam Lewis's probing delivery was headed home by defender George Johnston.
Although Chelsea began asking questions of their opponents, largely through highly-rated forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, Liverpool doubled their advantage shortly before half time.
Herbie Kane played in Bobby Adekanye, who successfully escaped the attention of the Blues defence before firing high into the Blues net beyond the reach of Marcin Bulka.
Neil Critchley's charges then added a third on 51 minutes, a handball in the box prompting the referee to award the hosts a penalty which Yan Dhanda blasted home from 12 yards out.
Chelsea managed to reduce the deficit just before the hour, Charlie Brown's low cross from the right being poked home by substitute Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
However, Liverpool restored their three-goal lead with another Johnston header from a Lewis delivery, before Dhanda wrapped up the scoring in injury time with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
Giuseppe Labellarte
